Biography
Cellist Abel Selaocoe moves fluidly across genres, appearing in intimate classical chamber settings as readily as in projects that pair him with beatboxers. His programming choices often highlight connections between Western classical forms and traditions from elsewhere in the world.
Born in 1992 in Sebokeng, the predominantly Black South African township near Johannesburg, Selaocoe (sa-LAU-chay) grew up in a household where singing formed part of daily life and a brother played bassoon. After ordinary school hours he traveled to a music program in Soweto run by the African Cultural Organization of South Africa under the guidance of pioneer Michael Masoté. The cello’s size first drew him to the instrument, yet his initial enthusiasm waned when he faced a nine-mile walk to catch the commuter train while carrying it; early practice sessions even substituted a broomstick for a bow. Persistence paid off: Masoté supplied a proper cello, lessons began, and at age thirteen Selaocoe received a scholarship to the elite boarding school St. John’s College in Johannesburg, where he pursued serious instrumental training. At eighteen he entered the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, completing an International Artist Diploma there in 2018.
By then he had already launched a professional career, co-founding the trio Chesaba, whose repertoire centered on African music and included his own compositions. Subsequent partnerships have ranged from percussionist-composer Bernhard Schimpelsberger and kora player Seckou Keita to the Manchester Collective, whose multi-genre “Sirocco” project reached wide audiences both live and online during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the classical recital circuit he has performed at Cadogan Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and Bridgewater Hall, made his BBC Proms debut in 2021, and appeared at the Kings Place, Norfolk & Norwich, and Ryedale Festivals; he has also served as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Britten Sinfonia. His programs regularly incorporate improvisation, singing, and body percussion alongside standard cello technique. In 2022 Warner Classics released his debut album, Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae).
Born in 1992 in Sebokeng, the predominantly Black South African township near Johannesburg, Selaocoe (sa-LAU-chay) grew up in a household where singing formed part of daily life and a brother played bassoon. After ordinary school hours he traveled to a music program in Soweto run by the African Cultural Organization of South Africa under the guidance of pioneer Michael Masoté. The cello’s size first drew him to the instrument, yet his initial enthusiasm waned when he faced a nine-mile walk to catch the commuter train while carrying it; early practice sessions even substituted a broomstick for a bow. Persistence paid off: Masoté supplied a proper cello, lessons began, and at age thirteen Selaocoe received a scholarship to the elite boarding school St. John’s College in Johannesburg, where he pursued serious instrumental training. At eighteen he entered the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, completing an International Artist Diploma there in 2018.
By then he had already launched a professional career, co-founding the trio Chesaba, whose repertoire centered on African music and included his own compositions. Subsequent partnerships have ranged from percussionist-composer Bernhard Schimpelsberger and kora player Seckou Keita to the Manchester Collective, whose multi-genre “Sirocco” project reached wide audiences both live and online during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the classical recital circuit he has performed at Cadogan Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and Bridgewater Hall, made his BBC Proms debut in 2021, and appeared at the Kings Place, Norfolk & Norwich, and Ryedale Festivals; he has also served as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Britten Sinfonia. His programs regularly incorporate improvisation, singing, and body percussion alongside standard cello technique. In 2022 Warner Classics released his debut album, Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae).
Albums
Hymns of Bantu
2025
Where is Home / Hae ke Kae
2022
Miserere mei, Deus
2019
Panis Angelicus, Panis Hominum
2019
Singles
